Thursday, August 25, 2016

How My Summer Went and Where I've Been


(image courtesy of imagebuddies.com)



Can you believe summer is almost over?


I certainly can't and with summer being over that means for us, back to school. With going to bed earlier, getting up way too early and of course school work, homework and the dreaded schedules of every day life, big breath, it has been a lot to take. 

I have to say, it's already kicking my butt, which is why I've been so absent from the blogsphere.  *sigh*

I usually start to get up early when I know school is right around the corner (I get up during the school year around 5:30) but this year it just didn't happen, for any of us so this first week back has been killer, but, we are slowly adjusting even if we are all a little sleep deprived. But it will get easier right? Please say it will get easier! 


With summer I went for a lighter blog schedule and I have to admit, I loved it! It was nice being able to be more carefree and spend time with my family and it does (almost) make me want to stick to it. It isn't always easy posting five times a week so, we will see how it goes. For now, I'm going to work my way back into blogging a little at a time. I've never felt so much like a slacker as I have this week, I've missed all you guys and while it is nice to have a break, it is nice to be back as well. 

Surprisingly I got a lot read over the summer, which was so nice. I was able to catch up on quite a few book series I had been neglecting and I got quite a few duologies and even some trilogies started and finished. There is nothing more satisfying than getting that good old TBR pile down and feeling like I accomplished something this summer besides the normal summer fun. 

I did also binge watch a ton of Netflix (I should be embarrassed about this but I'm not). I caught some series I'd never watched before like Charmed and saw some new ones like Scream (so good you guys!! Watch it if you haven't! it kept me guessing the whole way through!), The Dead of Summer (kind of creepy and still airing on Hulu), and I watched Stranger Things (really good too!) and The Between (two seasons, surprisingly good as well), both Netflix originals and they both were different and fun. So yeah, I watched way too much late night TV but it was nice to veg out once in awhile and do nothing, especially on the hotter days when it was over 100 outside.

So in a nutshell that was my summer as far as reading and watching went. As much as I hate getting up early, it is nice to be on a schedule again and have the time I need to read, write reviews, and blog. It is so much easier getting all of that done without the kids around and all the distraction and chaos that comes with it. ;) 

Hopefully I will be back in full swing before I know it, get some sleep somewhere along the way, and of course get to talk to all of you again. I've missed not being around every day but I know I'm not the only one that took some much needed down time and as much as I missed blogging every day, it was also a much needed break.  Thanks for visiting whenever I did post and for sticking around, you guys are the best!!  













(Thanks to kwizo and business insider for the images!)

44 comments:

  1. Well, well I can see you had a blast spending less time blogging and focusing on other things! Good for you! But now you're (mostly) back, so yay!

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    1. It was nice but it is definitely time to be back as well. ;)

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  2. Sounds like your time off blogging was great! I just finished Stranger Things and it was so good!! I didn't binge as many shows as I wanted to. Glad you are mostly back now :)

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  3. Sounds like you had a blast! So happy to hear that you're back!

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  4. I'm glad you had such a great summer. Sometimes we need to just step back and be in the moment with our kids. I did that with my writing this summer. It's been slow going, but we had a memorable few months.

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  5. Thanks for sharing Kindlemom, It sounds like you had a great summer I look forward to your blog posts so I'm glad you'll be back in the fold more. But there's always next year for you to take some time off during the summer :)

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  6. So glad you got to spend so much time with your kids this summer. I don't know how some of you post so much. I feel worn out with three posts per week (two on Hot Listens and one on Rabid Reads). I have a hard time getting in the reading, writing reviews, creating posts and visiting everyone. This summer was hard because I've been helping FIL move and downsize (garage sales, yuck!). Hope you get back to your sleeping schedule soon. :-)

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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    1. It is hard to keep up some weeks. I'll slowly work my way back in. ;)

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  7. Yay glad you're back and hope it gets easier to wake up early! It's hard now that it's dark (at least for me) and no worries about bingeing on netflix! It was summer!!

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  8. It's nice to be able to do things you want. I'm glad my daughter i grown and I don't have to worry about getting anyone up early for school.

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  9. Take all the time you need. I have been slacking with blogging this week having my dad here we have been super busy, but I realize it's okay. I am just doing what I can each and every day and if some things slide, we understand. I watched Stranger Things too and really liked it.

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  10. It's great to see you working your way back to the blogosphere, Ali. I know it could be tough, but steady as she goes is what I say. I hope you'll get back into your rhythm soon!

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    1. That is very true and I'm sure it won't take me long to back into the swing of things. ;)

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  11. Back to school routine has been so hard, Ali! I'm just about wrapping up my second week of school and I'm slowly readjusting to the hectic days. Glad you enjoyed your time off with your kiddos and got a chance to rest and relax. I also got a lot of reading done and not much TV watched over the summer. I started my rewatch of Gilmore Girls. I'm now on the 2nd season.

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    1. Glad I'm not the only one it's been hard for. Hopefully we both adjust soon. I love Gilmore Girls! I've thought about re-watching it but wasn't sure if it would be as good, sounds like it is.

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  12. It sounds like you had a fairly nice summer, and that's great! It always amazes me when people can post five days a week EVERY SINGLE week. I know some people that have something posted 7 days a week. It's crazy!!

    -Lauren

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    1. I started out posting 7 days and week and then decided it just wasn't worth it to post on the weekends, too much going on and not enough time, it ended up stressing me out too much.

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  13. My summer was crazy so I'm glad it's over. I have found a nice schedule now that the girls are back in school. I am MAKING more time to read and blog by getting rid of other distractions, and it's been nice :)

    Nereyda│ Nick & Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist

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    1. It is nice to have a schedule sometimes, even if it means getting up at the crack of dawn, I agree. ;)

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  14. Ali, when will things slow down for us, lol! I feel the same as you do. Summer is gone, it's back to school and everyone is try to get up and adjusted. I so happy you enjoyed some extra time away from the blog to do other fun stuff. Here's to a new school year and more books! *holds large cup of coffee up* :)

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  15. Nothing wrong with downtime. Sometimes I feel guilt if I post and don't reply/visit, so I imagine not posting is lovely. I have no little ones in school, so my summer is still going although aside from vacation it has been anything but slow..lol. I hope you catch up on some sleep. On the upside with all that reading ..you probably have tons of reviews!

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    1. I do, I can probably stop reading for a month and be just fine to still post until the year is over LOL!

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  16. Lalalalala .... don't want to be reminded that summer is almost over. I admit, it's nice not having to deal with school anymore. My son is a man now (hahaha!). I still need to watch Scream. Maybe after GoT.

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    1. Christy, watch it, you are going to love it I think.

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  17. So glad you enjoyed the summer with your family. And Netflix! Loved Stranger Things too! But I haven't heard of The Between. I just started watching Mr Robot on Amazon and it's going slowly but still really good. So anyway Welcome Back!! And Yay! To reading so many of your tbr's!

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  18. Oh that is just way way too early! I so don't miss those days but a schedule is a nice thing I think. Hope things start to settle in for yall quickly!

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    1. It is too early, ugh! But, I'll get use to it again. :)

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  19. Yey! I'm glad you got to spend more time with the family during the summer. I did the same thing and now I'm trying to adjust to waking up at 5:20 AM and getting back 100% to blogging. It's tough!! I fully understand where you are coming from.

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    1. It is a struggle but hopefully we will get there. ;)

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  20. I'm happy you enjoyed your time off, and I always feel so satisfied when I finally get to all the books I've been meaning to, but get distracted by new releases!! Welcome back!
    Tori @ In Tori Lex

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    1. I think we all get distracted by new releases. ;)

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  21. I totally agree/ understand. Mixing blogging with "real life" is tough. It is easy to feel town between the two. Good luck. PS I am loving all of your NetGalley awards on the side - Net Galley goals lol

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by and checking everything out!!

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  22. I feel you, Ali! This is the first school year for my oldest son. We are still adjusting. Why do you have to get up so early? Do you have a long commute to the school? I usually get up about 6.30 on school days.

    As for the blogging I was MIA since May, so now I’m catching up. I totally support you decision to blog at a lighter, more relaxing blog. It’s a hobby, so it should bring joy.

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    1. My oldest has to by up a little before six and I like to at least shower and be (almost ready) before then so I have to get up super early to do it.
      I hope you are adjusting to your son being in school, it really is a transition.

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